Bangalore: Accessing the downturn for less takers of the science stream in the city, the Centre has proposed to hand out a two-year financial grant to fresh science graduates to help them to carry on with their higher studies and thus keep a check on the decline in basic science research.

The MSc and PhD students are the deemed takers of this proposed project of the Union science and technology ministry.

"In order to infuse confidence among the science graduates to continue with their research on basic sciences, the grant will act as a financial cushion to ease their crunch," said the sources from the science and technology department.

A proposal can be addressed to the department of science and technology by an unemployed MSc or Phd basic science student on any project that would prove useful in terms of a product or in terms of enhanced knowledge or new formulations in basic sciences.

The experts will scrutinize the proposal further and the student is expected to receive the two years grant only after they approve it

"An M.Sc or PhD degree in basic sciences is not a feasible option for students since they have no assurance of a job after such a strenuous course of study. This leads to a major setback in research as well as in the student ration and strength. The student will feel secured and assured only if there is some sort of a financial aid given to them until they land up in a job," said an official from the Department of Science and Technology.

An awareness drive is proposed to be launched in the country by the ministry on science allowance.

"Many students stand unaware on the grounds of this new plan being introduced by the ministry. In order to publicize, we need to go region-wise. The rejection rates of the proposals are also not going to soar, so a student need not be worried about the same. More students can now get grants," said the official.
The validity of the grant is two years and will be terminated later in order to be offered to a fresh batch of students.

According to the ministry, two years time is sufficient for the students to search for a decent job as also the other students would be waiting for a financial hand.

"The financial help coming from the DST will be of much help to the students to sail through a year or two. Our expectation from the students is to come up with the idea of a project that enables them with a job. One of the best opportunities for the students is that they are not impoverished while they do their research work," added the official.